Dräger is investing in HTGF III, the third fund launched by High-Tech Gründerfonds. The move sees the company joining the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, the KfW banking group, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft e.V. and a range of established corporate investors from all industries and disciplines who have already invested in Europe’s most active seed-stage investor. Launched in 2005, HTGF is a powerful engine that drives the success of high-tech start-ups, while also offering industrial partners early access to start-ups and technological trends.

Christoph Schweizer, President, Corporate Strategy & Business Development at Dräger, says: “For Dräger, investing in HTGF III is an important step as we look to further enhance our technological expertise using a targeted approach. It therefore supports our activities in developing new business models. Thanks to HTGF’s network and our seat on the Investment Committee, we have the opportunity to identify interesting developments and promising start-ups at an early stage and benefit from them.”

Steffen Müller, head of Mergers & Acquisitions/New Business Development at Dräger, adds: “By collaborating with agile start-ups, we are looking to significantly strengthen our ability to innovate. Through our collaboration, Dräger’s extensive knowledge of customer requirements and regulations in medical and safety technology will help drive forward start-ups’ development projects in a targeted and efficient way.”

Dr. Michael Brandkamp, Managing Director of HTGF, explains: “Dräger is a company that has amassed many years of experience and expertise in the key industries of medical and safety technology. We are very much looking forward to working together and see major potential for cooperation with our portfolio.”

Back in April 2017, Dräger acquired a majority stake in bentekk GmbH, a Hamburg-based start-up that received seed financing from HTGF. “Dräger and HTGF already enjoy a very good relationship thanks to the divestment of bentekk to Dräger. I am convinced that we’ll see a lot more ties being forged with companies in our portfolio,” adds Dr. Alex von Frankenberg, Managing Director of HTGF.

HTGF invests in all sectors and maintains strong links with all players in the start-up and investor community. This is a recipe for success for portfolio companies, while also ensuring that Germany grows stronger as a hub for start-ups and business.

About HTGF

High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) is a seed investor that finances high-potential, tech-driven start-ups. With EUR 886 million in total investment volume across three funds (EUR 272 million in HTGF I, EUR 304 million in HTGF II, and a targeted volume of EUR 310 million for HTGF III) and an international network of partners, HTGF has already helped forge close to 500 start-ups since 2005. Driven by their expertise, entrepreneurial spirit and passion, its team of experienced investment managers and start-up experts help guide the development of young companies. HTGF’s focus is on high-tech start-ups in a range of sectors, including software, media, internet, hardware, automation, health care, chemicals and life sciences.

Dräger is an international leader in the fields of medical and safety technology. Dräger products protect, support, and save lives Founded in 1889, Dräger generated revenues of more than EUR 2.5 billion in 2016. The Lübeck-based company has over 13,000 employees and operations around the world.